Make Your Own Bread

Homemade bread is all the rage. And why not? Few foods are as satisfying to make and eat. Let this be the year you finally get into the habit of baking bread from scratch. You will be so happy you did.

True brioche—the classic French yeast bread that’s rich and golden with butter and eggs, boasting a paper-thin crust and a silky, tender crumb—is a rare and wonderful thing. But as special as it is, brioche isn’t difficult to make.

This authentic Irish soda bread uses just four ingredients you likely have on hand: flour, salt, baking soda, and buttermilk (raisins and caraway seeds are an American addition). It's a simple loaf with a beautifully browned, craggy crust and a nice chew.

Many people associate the flavor of rye bread with caraway because loaves of it often feature the seeds. This lighter, airier rye bread does not, which means you can actually taste how the rye flour affects the flavor.

Challah is traditionally served at the Jewish Sabbath, but why limit this finely grained, tender bread, to Friday night? (Especially given that it makes such wonderful French toast?) Though it looks truly impressive, the dough is hardy and forgiving and needs very little kneading.